Genetic Tools for Understanding Rickettsial and Related Infections (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

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A comprehensive understanding of pathogenic bacteriology requires the ability to generate and study genetically altered bacterial strains. For the obligate intracellular human pathogens of the order Rickettsialesincluding Anaplasma, Ehrilichia, Orientia and Rickettsia speciesthese tools have long lagged behind those available for extracellular bacteria. While recent advances have demonstrated the feasibility of genetically manipulating these bacteria, inherent limitations associated with their obligate intracellular nature and reduced genomes have hindered large-scale generation of useful mutants across all species. This funding opportunity will address that research gap by dedicating support to the generation and functional characterization of mutant libraries for rickettsial species that cause infections in humans, and to the application of these new tools to better understanding the biology of rickettsial pathogens.

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